A new support group has been formed for local sufferers of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and colitis.
The support group is officially affiliated with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and will begin meeting Monday, July 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Luke’s Anderson Campus in Conference Room Side A, in Bethlehem Township.
The main hospital building at St. Luke’s University Hospital’s Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township, Pa. (FILE PHOTO)
“Currently, there is no other support group for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in the Lehigh Valley,” said Jana Rosenberger of Hellertown, who spearheaded the group’s formation.
“I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease myself over two years ago and I really could have used this type of in-person support at the time of diagnosis, but there weren’t any groups meeting back then,” she added. “It is incredibly hard living with a chronic illness and no one should feel like they are alone.”
Rosenberger said the group is for both patients and caregivers, because inflammatory bowel disease doesn’t just affect the patient.
“I know this group will be a great service to our community,” she said. “I couldn’t be more grateful that St. Luke’s has allowed us to use their facility.”
Participants in the support group can park near the Anderson Campus fitness center, and enter through the fitness center entrance on the back side of the hospital building.
The group will meet once a month on a Monday–usually the last Monday of each month.
Anyone with questions should contact Rosenberger, the support group facilitator, at ja********@gm***.com.
